Basketball: Jabari Brown leaves Oregon

Oakland native Jabari Brown, the jewel of Oregon’s 2011 freshman class, has left the basketball program.

UO announced Brown’s’ departure before the Ducks beat Southeast Missouri State 86-61 on Sunday.

Brown, who attended Oakland HS last season after returning home from Findlay Prep in Henderson, Nev., was averaging 6.0 points and shooting just 27.3 percent as a starter through two games and led the Ducks with 11 turnovers. But he averaged a team-best 15.4 points on Oregon’s five-game summer tour of Italy.

Brown was a five-star recruit and rated the nation’s No. 19 overall prospect by Rivals.com. Brown was recruited by a long list of schools, including Cal.

“I will say it up front, I don’t want him to leave,” coach Dana Altman said. “The door is still open.”

There are just three undefeated teams left in the Pac-12 Conference — Cal, Stanford and Oregon State — following Washington’s 77-64 loss at St. Louis.

— St. Louis 77, Washington 64: The Huskies (3-1) trailed 50-25 at halftime in their first road game of the season. Sophomore Terrence Ross had 17 points and 10 rebounds and freshman Tony Wroten Jr., scored 14 for UW. But the Huskies shot 42 percent from the field and had 16 turnovers.

— Oregon 86, SE . Missouri State 61: E.J. Singler scored a season-high 21 points and the Ducks (2-1) forced the Redhawks (1-3) into 19 turnovers to win in Eugene. Garrett Sim had 14 points and five assists for Oregon,which broke the game open with a 32-1 run spanning the two halves. Center Tony Woods, a transfer from Wake Forest, injured his ankle in the game and was taken for X-rays.

— Washington State 83, Portland 73: Faisal Aden scored 21 points and Brock Motum added 13 as the Cougars (2-1) topped the Pilots (2-2), who previously lost by 30 to Washington. Point guard Reggie Moore had eight assists, six rebounds and three steals.

8 Comments

Sounds like trouble, unless he’s leaving because he witnessed some coaching/back office shenanigans, chip kelly-style, and felt obligated to remove himself from the toxic/unethical situation. What are the odds of that, though?

Wow. For as stunned as one can get over news of such things, I’M SHOCKED!!!
Yeah, Monty would take him! But he’ll probably end up with someone far away, like Steve Lavin.It’s almost easier to start anew far away. Besides, Monty won’t sugar coat and kiss ass, which may be what these high end recruits’ egos require. But, who knows… If I could advise Jabari, go back to Oregon and work hard there.

After doing some more Jabari reading, I take it back.
Monty won’t go for Brown.
Aside from the potential for Brown to inject the team with a “Circumstance detrimental to team Chemistry” (and a culture he has worked for years to cultivate), we have also just added that combo guard from Bakersfield for next year’s class.

If Brown transfers, he will get to play only 2nd semester next year, and will likely be looking for pro bucks as soon as possible – meaning he can’t be relied upon to help any program over a period of time, whether that be 1 semester, 3 semesters, or 5. He’ll bolt as soon as he can. Via the college route, the pros are now 1 year delayed, due to sitting rules for (D1) transfers. I guess he could opt for some European development/paid path.

The kid is immature and probably a bit delusional thinking he’s ready for the NBA. Given the strike, kid should shut up and play. No way Monty takes a one-and-done unless the risk/reward is worth it. It’s apparent the risk is not worth it.